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Greek Orthodox Easter (The Traditions and Foods)

Holy (or Great) Friday

The holiest day of Holy Week is Holy Friday. It is a day of mourning, not of work (including cooking). It is also the only day during the year when the Divine Liturgy is not read. Flags are hung at half-mast and church bells ring all day in a slow mournful tone.

Many devout do not cook on Holy Friday, but if they do, traditional foods are simple, perhaps boiled in water (no oil) and seasoned with vinegar - like beans - or thin soups like tahinosoupa, a soup made with tahini.

Traditionally, women and children take flowers to the church to decorate the Epitaphio (the symbolic bier of Christ).

The Service of Lamentation mourns the death of Christ, and the bier, decorated lavishly with flowers and bearing the image of Christ, is carried on the shoulders of the faithful in a procession through the community to the cemetery and back. Members of the congregation follow, carrying candles.

Holy (or Great) Saturday

On Holy Saturday, the Eternal Flame is brought to Greece by military jet and is distributed to waiting Priests who carry it to their local churches. The event is always televised and if there's a threat of bad weather or a delay, the entire country agonizes until the flame arrives safely.

On the morning of Holy Saturday, preparations begin for the next day’s Easter feast. Dishes that can be prepared in advance are made, and the traditional mayiritsa soup--which uses the organs and intestines of the lamb that will be roasted--is prepared, which will be eaten after the midnight service, to break the fast.

The midnight Service of the Resurrection is an occasion attended by everyone who is able, including children, where each person holds a white candle.

Special candles made for Easter are called labatha (lah-BAH-thah) and are often given as gifts to children from their parents or Godparents.

These candles can be lavishly decorated with favorite children’s heroes or storybook characters, and may be as much as three feet tall--but the candle itself is usually white. These candles are only used for one Easter midnight service.

Crowds are so big that churches fill to overflowing as anticipation mounts. Shortly before midnight, all lights are extinguished and churches are lit only by the Eternal Flame on the altar. When the clock passes midnight, the Priest calls out "Christos Anesti" (Christ is risen), and passes the flame, the light of the Resurrection, to those nearest him. The flame is then passed from person to person, and it isn't long before the church and courtyard are glowing with flickering candlelight. The night air is filled with the singing of the Byzantine Chant "Christos Anesti," and the "fili tis Agapis" (kiss of Agape) and wishes are exchanged.

As is the custom, as soon as "Christos Anesti" is called out, church bells ring joyously non-stop, ships in ports all over Greece sound their horns, floodlights are lit on large buildings and great and small displays of fireworks and noisemakers are set off.

Traditional Easter Wishes

Once the Priest has called out "Christos Anesti" ( khree-STOHSS ah-NES-tee), friends and neighbors exchange the same, saying "Christos Anesti" and, in response, "Alithos Anesti" (ah-lee-THOHSS ah-NES-tee), "truly, He is risen," or "Alithinos o Kyrios" (ah-lee-thee-NOHSS o KEE-ree-yohss), "true is the Lord."

It is the custom to carry the Eternal Flame home and use it to make the sign of the cross on the door frame in smoke. The smoke cross is left there throughout the year, symbolizing that the light of the Resurrection has blessed the home. The candles are used to light icon candelabra and are put on the table for the midnight meal. The sight of hundreds of candle flames moving from churches to homes on that night is beautiful, indeed.

Once home, everyone gathers around the table for a traditional meal to break the fast, which includes the mayiritsa soup, tsoureki (sweet bread), and the red eggs. But before the eggs are eaten, there's a traditional challenge: tsougrisma. Holding your egg, you tap the end against the end of your opponent's egg, trying to crack it. It's a game enjoyed by children and adults alike. Eggs are often made in very large quantities since the game continues the next day with more friends and family.

Easter Sunday

The main focus on Sunday is the traditional Greek Easter foods. At dawn (or earlier), the spits are set to work and grills are fired up. The customary main attraction of the day is whole roasted lamb or goat (kid) to represent the Lamb of God; however, many prefer oven and stovetop lamb or kid dishes. Appetizers, such as Greek olives and tzatziki (yogurt dip) are served for guests to enjoy while watching the lamb cook on the spit. Ovens are filled with traditional accompaniments and all the trimmings, such as patates fournou (potatoes roasted with citrus and oregano) and spanakotyropita (spinach and cheese pie).

Great Greek wines, ouzo and other drinks flow freely, and preparations for the meal turn into festive celebrations even before the eating begins, which can be a three to four-hour affair, lasting long into the night.

Easter Monday

Another national holiday, Easter Monday is a day to take things slowly, and certainly a day filled with delicious leftovers!